Do you suffer from fatigue that makes you so tired every day you can’t even muster up the energy for a short walk? Do you live “in a fog” and eat to help you wake up? Do you eat more when you are tired, thus gaining weight and ultimately becoming depressed? Is your lack of energy spinning your life out of control? You may have Sleep Apnea.
Here are some common signs and symptoms to help you decide if you have this sleep disorder:
* Excessive daytime sleepiness
* Loud snoring
* Restless sleep
* Difficulty with concentration
* Depression
* Morning headaches
* High blood pressure
Often it is the bed partner that notices the periods of apnea. The person suffering from the problem doesn’t even realize they have it.
Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing when they sleep. A diagnosis is made by having an evaluation by a sleep disorders specialist and going to a sleep lab for an overnight sleep study. Some patients have been reported to stop breathing when they sleep up to 100 times per hour.
This disorder currently affects approximately 20 million adults and can contribute to other serious health conditions. If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, heart trouble or are overweight, treating your apnea may improve these conditions as well as make you feel better!
Sleep apnea can be treated easily. The most effective treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This will help keep your airway from collapsing when you sleep and will eliminate your sleep apnea. It can make a tremendous difference in your life, often after the first night of use.
After being diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP machine, you can finally have the energy you need to go on walks and become more active. You will have the ability to think clearly and plan healthy meals. Your fatigue will begin to disappear during the day and you will be able to lose weight
more easily.